The Structure and Influence of Article II in US Governance
Article II of the United States Constitution
The United States Constitution’s Article II defines the structure of the President’s executive branch. From defining the President as commander in chief to granting pardons, this article sets forth an array of powers that are unique to the federal government.
Across the United States, state laws and constitutions align with the principles of this article in diverse ways. From establishing their own executive branches to recognizing gubernatorial power, these laws reflect the enduring influence of the Constitution on governance at all levels.
New York
New York is the largest and wealthiest city in America, and its people reflect the diversity of America itself. Many of the most significant events in our country’s history have occurred here, including the founding of Columbia University in 1754; the first clashes between the Sons of Liberty and British colonial authorities; the battle of Saratoga; the signing of the United States Constitution in 1788; and the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.
After the American Revolution, New York became a magnet for immigrants from Europe and later from South America and Asia. Today, New York has the nation’s highest percentage of residents who are foreign-born and is a model for the “melting pot” concept. Unlike other cities where immigrant communities are dominated by one or two nationalities, New York’s neighborhoods include Indian, Chinese, Korean, Dominican and Puerto Rican groups among others. It also has the largest Jewish community and the most Hasidic Jews of any city in the world.
Nevada
With its wide open spaces and stunning landscapes, Nevada is a recreational paradise. It is home to the famed gambling city of Las Vegas, as well as a host of natural and man-made wonders. These include the Sierra Nevada mountain range, Lake Tahoe and the Hoover Dam.
Its history is as varied as its geography. The state was a gold and silver mining center during the Comstock Lode, and Samuel Clemens made his mark here with his newspaper, the Territorial Enterprise.
It became a state in 1864, with Congress hastily granting it statehood to help ensure Abraham Lincoln’s reelection. Today, the state’s economy is largely based on tourism and gambling, with some manufacturing. The state is known for its rugged beauty, and its inhabitants are known for their sense of adventure and creativity. For example, the famous counterculture event Burning Man draws over 60,000 people to Black Rock City each year to celebrate radical self-expression.
Missouri
The state’s rich history of westward expansion is celebrated by the Gateway Arch in St. Louis and in the towns of Branson and Hannibal. The famous writer Mark Twain was born here. Today Missouri is home to major manufacturers of aerospace, transportation equipment and processed food, and the economy is bolstered by tourism and health care services.
During the pre-Civil War period and throughout the conflict, Missourians were divided in their opinions about slavery and allegiances. Although the majority of voters at a convention on secession favored remaining in the Union, Governor Claiborne Fox Jackson secretly worked for secession and communicated with Confederate leaders to prepare a state militia for war. The state was a battleground during the Civil War, and its residents supplied both Union and Confederate troops. The state is primarily Christian, with strong representation of Roman Catholics and Baptists. There are also Pentecostal congregations and smaller Jewish communities. Located in Tornado Alley, the state experiences significant weather fluctuations.
The States
States are sovereign jurisdictions with their own governments and laws. The Constitution reserves to them or to their people all powers not delegated to the federal government. The States exercise this sovereignty largely in areas such as law enforcement, public education, public health, and intrastate commerce regulation.
Each State shall give Full Faith and Credit to the Public Acts, Records, and Judicial Proceedings of every other State. A State shall not discriminate against Citizens of another State in the Privileges or Immunities of the citizens thereof.
States and their citizens participate in the national government through Congress, a bicameral legislature consisting of the Senate and House of Representatives. They also select a number of voters to represent them in the Electoral College, which directly elects the president. Each State is also free to enter into interstate compacts and regulate the conduct of its citizens within its borders. The States have a system of checks and balances in their legislatures that mirrors the federal system and prevents any one branch of government from gaining too much power.
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